Annie's best friend is June "the Whopper" King: spunky, intense, and just as inventive as June. In three weeks, they're going to have a falling out that will shape both their lives forever. But that's in the future: right now, Annie's on her way over to June's house to talk about her Poppo/Jimmy problems. Her dad answers the door. "She's in her room," he says, and turns. "JUNE! ANNIE'S HERE!" he shouts upstairs. "ANNIE!" June shouts down in reply. "WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE WHOPPER!!"